Old Avenue will be at North Hills on Friday for the Emerging Artists music series. They’re a young, talented band from Raleigh and you can hear some of their music on their MySpace page. North Hills Buzz interviewed the band so you can learn more about the group before you see them.

North Hills Buzz: Your MySpace page says you first came together in December 2007. How did everyone in the band meet and start playing together?

Old Avenue: Originally, Sean and Jason were in a band, Thaxton’s Place, with a few other guys freshman year of high school. At the same time Mark was in a band, Wake Up David, with a few other guys from another school. The two bands came together mid freshman year. They played on and off for about a year or so and went through a few other members and singers. In December 2007 Kendall, who was also going to Cardinal Gibbons High School, was added to the band. A few weeks ago we acquired a new singer, Greg Sullivan, to make the band what we are today.

NHB: How did you get hooked up with your new lead singer, Greg Sullivan?

OA: We were in need of a singer and we had a few try-outs for some but they weren’t what we were looking for. Kendall’s brother, Andrew, suggested Greg Sullivan who he knew through his high school years at Cardinal Gibbons. We invited him to a practice and he was a perfect fit.

NHB: Who were some of your favorite artists growing up?

OA: Dave Matthews Band, OAR, Hootie & the Blowfish, Matchbox 20, Dr. Dre, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Who, Moe., John Mayer, Jack Johnson, The Beatles, Bob Marley

NHB: What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?

OA: Back in the day when Space Jam was in the theatres

NHB: Who are some of your favorite bands now? How have these bands influenced Old Avenue’s sound?

OA: Dave Matthews Band, OAR, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Dispatch, State Radio, Ingrid Michaelson.

NHB: I really like how the saxophone is blended into your songs. Talk about how you’ve made it fit so well into some of your songs, such as “Miss Summertime.”

OA: Different songs have different feels so it’s important to change playing styles to fit the song. Greg says, “I’m just glad he isn’t terrible.”

NHB: What do you think of the local music scene in Raleigh? How do small music series such as this one and larger events like Raleigh Wide Open affect the music scene here?

OA: Raleigh is a great place to play for a band like us. You have to start playing small venues and work your way up. Events like Raleigh Wide Open and shows at North Hills really help with exposure because every time you play those, you get a new audience to win over. We hope to continue playing many shows around Raleigh and also start traveling to other states for various shows and events.

NHB: What is your favorite place to relax in Raleigh? In North Carolina?

OA: We are big fans of hangin’ out by water and so Lake Gaston is always a fun place to go to and just relax. In Raleigh though, we like hangin’ out at Cloos’ Coney Island in Mission Valley, which is Mark’s dad’s restaurant.

NHB: If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be?

OA: Of course “The Cobblestone EP” by Old Avenue but a close number 2 is “Crash” by Dave Matthews Band

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